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Discussion on Dehydration
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New Member:
cameo128
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Posted on Monday, May 3, 2010 - 1:16 pm:
I am having trouble with my mare getting dehydrated. I gave her a power pack 1.5 weeks ago. I was hoping that would help her problem. Just when I thought it did....she dehydrated again today. I have her on probio's daily because she's a hard keeper. When I see that she's hollowing out I give her electrolytes and salt (to encourage drinking) in her feed. This does seem to help but I know that you have to be careful that you don't give her too much. I'm going to call my vet for a blood draw to see if there is something wrong. Can you give me any suggestions or direction as to what the possible problem could be? I'm really worried about her. Thanks :o)
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Member:
vickiann
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Posted on Monday, May 3, 2010 - 1:52 pm:
Tracy,
Sometimes electrolytes can do more harm than good, so be sure to read Dr. O's articles about their use and also about dehydration.
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Monday, May 3, 2010 - 3:03 pm:
You don't state whether the horse is doing a lot of work in hot weather or if it's just standing around. This info would be helpful. It's very unusual for a horse to become dehydrated when it's not working hard or trailering a lot, unless it doesn't have a clean water source. Do make sure all your buckets, tanks, etc. are clean and don't have any odors. One of my mares won't drink unless her bucket is about clean enough for me to drink out of it; other horses aren't as picky.
Also, is this new behavior for your horse? Are there any other changes in diet, behavior, where she's kept, etc.?
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Member:
canter
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Posted on Monday, May 3, 2010 - 4:13 pm:
Is there a source of electricity near her water bucket? I read here on HA where the horse gets a shock from dipping it's nose into the bucket thus won't drink.
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New Member:
cameo128
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Posted on Monday, May 3, 2010 - 6:43 pm:
She is not worked hard at all. Maybe ridden 2 a week on a casual trail. She has 3 different water sources. Fresh h2o in her bucket in the stall, in the field they have a natural spring and I also keep a trough full for them. At 1st I thought it had something to do with her needing wormed but it hasn't helped the dehydration. It seems to be random, one day she will be ok and the next not. I do make sure things are kept clean. My famous saying is "would you drink out of it?" HAHA! I'm sure my daughter has heard that in her sleep. I'm concerned it's something bigger. I'm going to call the vet in the morn for a blood draw to test her functions etc. Good idea, but no lines near the water. Thx :o)
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Member:
mrose
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Posted on Monday, May 3, 2010 - 7:28 pm:
How old is your mare, Tracy? What are her symptoms? I know you mentioned looking drawn ( I think that's what you mean by "hollowing out", but if you are meaning drawn up in her flanks, other things can cause a horse to look like that, pain being one thing. Does the mare's skin "tent" when you pinch test it? If you aren't familiar with pinch testing read under dehydration on this site; I'm pretty sure it tells you how and where to test. If the mare is "just" looking drawn, I'm wondering if she could have something else going on. I know I sometimes get my mind set on one thing I think is wrong and miss what really is the problem because I'm not looking beyond the one possibility. It's a good thing you are taking her to the vet if this is ongoing. Be sure and mention every symptom she might have; changes in behavior, eating, looks, etc. as well as anything you have done like the worming, changes in feed and the type and amount of electrolytes and other supplements she is on. Keep us posted, please. It's always good to find out what the diagnosis, treatment etc. is so our curiosity is satisfied and we can learn.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Tuesday, May 4, 2010 - 8:44 am:
Hello Tracey,
Healthy horses not being worked hard with free access to potable water don't become dehydrated. Does your horse act healthy and have normal vital signs? Is so something besides dehydration may be going on. For more on these subjects see,
1) Horse Care » Equine Nutrition, Horse Feeds, Feeding » Electrolytes and Dehydration in Exercising Horses
2) Diseases of Horses » First Aid » Taking Temperature, Pulse, and Respiration
DrO
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Member:
cameo128
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Posted on Tuesday, May 4, 2010 - 11:36 am:
Thanks for your input everyone. Unfortunately there are no other symptoms. That's what's weird. Not that I want there to be....but it would act as another piece of the puzzle. She is 14, eating fine, I have her on Nutrena Basic Care 2x/ day. She shed out great, no lameness, etc, I even was watching her play in the field yesterday afternoon. idk.....guess I'll wait on some blood work. She does need her teeth floated so I'm going to set that up too. Maybe the cool water is making her teeth hurt??? What an easy fix that would be!! However.....mine ususaly never are!! 
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